Children’s art abounds this summer on Mercer Island/ Arts Scene

June 21, 2022 2:30 pm
Participants delve into their art projects at a previous Mercer Island community event. Photo courtesy of MIVAL
Participants delve into their art projects at a previous Mercer Island community event. Photo courtesy of MIVAL

By Anne Hritzay

Special to the Reporter

As activities return after COVID, Mercer Islanders will have a variety of opportunities to see and participate in community art activities and celebrations.

MIVAL (Mercer Island Visual Arts League) will be sponsoring its 48th Annual Junior Art Show for children in grades K-12. Formerly a beloved part of Summer Celebration, the show will now be featured at the Mercer Island Gallery at the Mercer Island Community and Event Center from July 18-Sept. 9. Children are invited to enter artwork for cash prizes and for display in the gallery this summer. Artwork can be from school projects or their individual work. More information and online registration is available at www.mival.org/junior-art-show/ and the deadline to enter is July 11.

At Summer Celebration this year from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on July 9, MIVAL will sponsor a Community Art Making Project with support from the Mercer Island Community Fund (MICF) and the city of Mercer Island. Artists of all ages will be invited to create colorful flags using a variety of printing techniques for display at Mercerdale Park. This joyful collaboration will celebrate the creativity and individualism of the people that make Mercer Island such a special place to call home.

Mostly Music in the Park will also have Art in the Park again this year sponsored by MIVAL, MICF and the city. Young artists can try their hand at different art projects each week, so stop by and check out the creative opportunities to try something new while you are picnicking along with some great local music. These events are weekly on Thursdays from 6-7:30 p.m. from July 14-Aug. 11.

And finally, let’s celebrate the winners of the MIVAL High School Art Scholarship: Devon Benaroya, Zoe LaCombe and Kate Sun. This award has been given to Mercer Island High School seniors for more than 40 years and is a favorite tradition with Mercer Island residents and artists who are so generous with their donations to support these awards and the arts in the schools and our community. We invite you to view the winners’ artwork, which will be on display in July at the MIVAL Gallery (in the Avellino building between QFC and the former Baskin Robbins). A reception for the artists will be held from 4-5 p.m. July 1 at the MIVAL Gallery and is open to the public.

Artwork by Alex Fuehne. Photo courtesy of MIVAL

Artwork by Alex Fuehne. Photo courtesy of MIVAL